Dangerous Rainbows

by James Ashman

  Chapter 11

  Alquin and Miku made their way up the steps in the middle of the green hill. To their sides were white gravestones. After walking for a while, Alquin turned and walked up to a certain stone.

  "Thank you. I wish I knew you better," Alquin said.

  "Who is that?" Miku asked.

  "It's Belgard Tor Rinard. Father."

  "Ah."

  Alquin remained quiet for a while, and then bowed in front of the grave.

  "The dead cannot hear us. But even still, I wanted to do this," Alquin said.

  He left the grave and then walked farther up the hill. He stopped in front of another gravestone. This time Miku took a look at it, and noticed it was for Relos. This time, Alquin didn't speak at all. He simply stood, saluted, and then bowed. Miku stood beside Alquin, and then dropped to her knees. She bowed deeply.

  "Don't do that," Alquin said. Miku stood up and looked at Alquin.

  "I should apologize again."

  "Don't. I'm not placing that burden on you."

  "You can burden me. I don't mind. And I think I deserve it."

  "No. You hold none. I cannot do that, or I may lose you like I did Charlotte."

  "But, wait, no, we aren't like that."

  "Maybe. Come on, let's go back. I still have to bring you everywhere with me. Across time, conquests, and galaxies. Weaving battle to battle, each destruction of every ship and life a spectacular rainbow of colors. Will you keep following me as I create these dangerous rainbows?"

  "Do you mean to continue fighting?"

  "I do. The path I tread will still be littered with colorful pain. I'm the worst person you could possibly take comfort in. Even though you're stuck, and I won't free you, I will still ask you if you're willing."

  "Nothing will change whether I am or not, correct?"

  "That's right."

  "Then I will. I won't agree with you, but I'll be with you."

  "That's not enough anymore. I'll want you to be mine."

  "I already am. I was before this."

  "I don't mean it like that."

  "I mean it how you want it. Because I want it to."

  "You still don't agree with me or my aspirations, but you, you're willing to still be mine?"

  "What I believe doesn't change how I feel. Alquin, Charlotte is very good at getting people to talk honestly with one another. And being honest with themselves."

  "She is. But now, she is the past. Thank you, Miku."

   

  "Sir, there is an anomaly. No, wait, it's a ship! It's the Zeick, it's appeared!" an operator said.

  "Calm down and put it on screen," Alquin said.

  "They are hailing us," a communications officer said.

  "Respond and put them on screen."

  "Greetings, Mr. Emperor," Yue said. He sat in the commander's chair, and Genbu was visible at his side.

  "Daddy!" Miku said.

  "Good to see Miku as well," Yue said.

  "And you too, Yue," Miku said.

  "Daddy? Who?" Alquin asked.

  "Me," Genbu said. "But back to the matter at hand."

  "Ah. Yes, well, why have you appeared?" Alquin asked.

  "We haven't had a chance to greet the new emperor yet. Seeing such a massive fleet take off made me decide I should say hello before you do anything with it and become busy," Yue said.

  "In other words, why am I taking an enormous fleet with me, and where, you ask," Alquin said. "I'll answer. To the coalition main planet. To wage war."

  "You're going to the main planet directly? Do you intend to win the war within a year?" Yue asked.

  "Maybe less. The travel time without the benefit of relays we control will make it take quite a while, but it will be worthwhile once the war is over," Alquin said.

  "Indeed. But why wait. Let us end the war now," Yue said.

  "Is that a challenge? I admit the Zeick is powerful, but even it would fall quickly before this armada," Alquin said.

  "No, let us make peace. The old emperor is gone, and even the reason for the war is disputed. Why continue fighting?" Yue asked.

  "There are still reasons yet," Alquin said.

  "Will you explain them?" Yue asked.

  "No, it would be a waste of time. If you don't mind, I have a long journey ahead. You say you are now a third party, but if you intend to use your ship's ability to warn the coalition of my advance, then I will take you down now," Alquin said.

  "If I cannot stop it, then what choice do you give me?" Yue asked.

  "Yue, please, help us end this. Even if Alquin is wrong, his way will end the war fastest," Miku said.

  "Miku? What happened? Are you supporting our bloodshed?" Yue asked.

  "No, but I'm powerless to stop you or him either! I want it over, all of it! If you prepare or assist the coalition, more people will die than before. It will be prolonged. It might not end!" Miku said.

  "Dear, please, we don't want there to be any fighting at all," Genbu said.

  "But will either the emperor or the council listen?" Miku asked.

  "Maybe, or maybe not. But the president and Alquin may be able to come to an agreement," Genbu said.

  "And what of the people? Those who remember their fallen comrades, brothers, sisters, best friends? On both sides? How will they stop? I'm asking because I don't know what will appease them, even though I want peace to be bloodless as well! Tell me, what will stop their hatred?" Miku asked.

  "If we can just implement peace, then the issue will eventually be resolved. You're talking about issues that will come after that. We should wait till it's peaceful first," Yue said.

  "I wish I could be that optimistic," Miku said.

  "And it still doesn't mean I'll change my mind," Alquin said.

  "So I cannot, after all. Then I will just have to do my best to mediate later. In case you are right about winning with the least spilling of blood in the quickest way, I will not inform the coalition. But I won't sit back forever," Yue said.

  "I'd expect nothing less," Alquin said.

  "Ha! Well, now that the business is out of the way, how about a drink before the battle? I still want to meet you, in person, Alquin," Yue said.

  "Ah, as tempting as that sounds, how do you think we could possibly meet, when I know you know about my previous tactics in war? I wouldn't want to be caught at the end of my own trap," Alquin said.

  "Easy enough, actually. Poor Gim, he didn't think of it, and it cost him so terribly. We will each send a small ship to meet at a distance from our respective forces. I will board your ally's ship, where they can make sure I'm safe, and then they can bring me to you. I swear to you, I'm doing this honestly, I don't wish to harm you," Yue said.

  "But I may wish to harm you," Alquin said.

  "The Zeick will make sure that isn't in your best interests, whether that means I'm retrievable or not. Acceptable?" Yue asked.

  "It's mad, but I'll accept," Alquin said.

  The transport went as Yue described with no sudden attacks. Soon he and Genbu were exiting their transport and meeting Alquin and Miku in the hallway.

  "Daddy, Yue!" Miku gave each of them a large hug. Genbu was smiling and appeared like he could cry, though he wouldn't.

  "You look well," Genbu said.

  "I'm well, I'm very well," Miku said.

  "That's good. How has the empire been treating you?" Yue asked.

  "Alquin sees to my every need. They take care of me very well," Miku said.

  "Anyways, would you both care to come with me, to somewhere we can relax? A hallway isn't the best," Alquin said.

  The group moved to the lounge, and took seats while the other empire staff looked on with confused faces. They swiftly served drinks the moment Alquin commanded it.

  "Quite a nice ship. I haven't been inside an empire ship before," Yue said.

  "That's unfortunate," Alquin said.

  "Ha. Quite so. I imagine I'd be in a quite different place had I been on an empire ship before this. How about you, eve
r been on a coalition ship?" Yue asked.

  "Never one that was still under coalition control, but yes," Alquin said. "Not quite as aesthetic as I'd wish."

  "To each his own, then," Yue said.

  The group exchanged a few more pleasantries and talk of random military affairs before turning to a more serious tone.

  "So, Mr. Emperor, what is your objective? Why are you still fighting?" Yue asked.

  "The objective? Nothing too grand, just the usual. The only difference is that I'll end it, one way or another," Alquin said.

  "The usual?" Genbu asked.

  "Conquest and control. I'll have the universe under my hand, and only mine. Complete domination," Alquin said.

  "That doesn't match well with the idea of freedom that you proposed when taking over the empire. You eliminated status distinctions, didn't you?" Yue asked.

  "I've been wondering that too," Miku said.

  "I already told you that, Miku. You should understand by now. I'm not full of idealistic nonsense about freedom from oppression meaning the same as self-governing. True, our history has been stained with terrible examples of despotism leading to tyranny and complete oppression, but those aren't the rule, just the usual," Alquin said.

  "I still cannot agree with that. Even with the best of intent, it's almost inevitable that it will be abused, somehow. But let's stop, we aren't here to discuss politics and government. We can just relax for a bit and then be on our way," Yue said.

  "Yes, of course," Alquin said. "That does remind me; I wanted to ask you something."

  "Go ahead," Yue said.

  "Did you command the second battle at Exoquis? The one where you exited the relay with a very unique strategy?" Alquin asked.

  "Yes, that would be me," Yue said.

  "So you were," Alquin said. Alquin didn't mention anything more about it, so a couple minutes of silence passed.

  "Speaking of old battles, I think we've seen each other in a few in the past. But rather than speak of such terrible things, I think it's best we get on our way. We've taken enough of our time," Yue said.

  "That's fine. I've enjoyed this small reprieve. I'll ask about some prior battles to see if I can find the ones we were in together. Any hints?" Alquin asked. He and the rest stood up and began shaking hands.

  "My most memorable battles would be at Helt, Jenes, and Tindal," Yue said. Alquin's grip on his hand tightened for a moment.

  "You wouldn't happen to have commanded a small detachment at the time, would you?" Alquin asked.

  "I did. Disruption tactics. Not exactly as glorious as commanding a full fleet, but I've done what I can," Yue said.

  "Jenes and Tindal, we've met. Blast, I've hated you for a long time. A long, long time. I congratulate you on being so infuriating. But it would be best you left quickly," Alquin said, his tone tinged with anger.

  "I hope we don't meet on the battlefield again," Yue said. He saluted Alquin, and then took a step back. He and Genbu started walking towards the door, ready to be escorted back.

  "What are you waiting for?" Genbu asked. He had turned around.

  "Excuse me?" Alquin asked.

  "That was for Miku. Come on, what are you waiting for?" Genbu asked.

  "What do you mean?" Miku asked.

  "Let's go," Genbu said.

  "Ah," Miku said. She then looked at Alquin. "I don't know what to say."

  "What do you mean? Aren't you going to come back with me?" Genbu asked.

  "She cannot," Alquin said. "She isn't free to go. She's my prisoner."

  "What? She isn't military. Besides, we're on satisfactory terms, aren't we? Let me take my daughter back," Genbu said.

  "No, daddy. I'm not going back," Miku said.

  "I'm sure we can work something out. You don't have to stay here. You're my daughter, you don't have to be part of the coalition itself anymore, just mine," Genbu said.

  "That, I still cannot do. I don't want to go home," Miku said. "And just because Alquin won't be clear about it doesn't mean I don't have to. I'm staying here, with him, at his side. So please, don't worry about me, and go back. Tell Kelin I said hi, since I cannot come in person."

  "You're really doing this willingly? He isn't holding you against your will, is he?" Genbu said.

  "He was. But now he doesn't need to. I'm staying with Alquin. Permanently," Miku said.

  "I see. So be it. Always such a willful daughter," Genbu said.

  "I am. I'll see you again, sometime. Goodbye Yue, father."

   

  "I'm bored!"

  "Everyone is," Alquin said. "But it's almost over."

  "I know, but this wait is annoying. A month, and even then, there is no guarantee you'll be able to conquer and use the Heron relay," Miku said.

  "Of course we will," Alquin said. He smiled, but his expression quickly changed when the sound of an alarm went off. A voice came over the intercom.

  "Sir, we've encountered a fleet," the communications officer said.

  "Take them out," Alquin said.

  "Acknowledged. But there is one problem. There is a space fortress with them," the officer said.

  "A fortress? In this path? There weren't any reports of that! I'll be there soon," Alquin said.

  "There shouldn't be one in this part of space," Miku said.

  "Seems like the coalition might be prepared after all," Alquin said. "Your friends weren't as honest as I'd hope."

  "Father wouldn't lie, neither would Yue. There's no way they would have told. And the coalition might not listen even if they did. Let's see what awaits us."

  Alquin sighed, and then left for the bridge. Upon his arrival he saw a fleet on screen, with a giant space fortress behind them. His forces and the coalition ones had already started fighting, as was apparent by the explosions that were slowly gathering in amount.

  "What is that?" Alquin asked. "Is that Zeick?"

  "So there was another being produced. But it had that function? Amazing," Miku said.

  "What is that, Miku?" Alquin asked.

  "It's the second Zeick-class fortress. It has the ability to create relay space, just like the dual relays in the first Zeick. But it also has the ability to take a fleet with it, something the original doesn't have. I wasn't sure it was possible. But this proves it. This isn't good," Miku said.

  "Sir, they are hailing us," a communications officer said.

  "Operations, formation epsilon, plan c. Implement it now. Communications, put it on screen," Alquin said.

  "Wait, Alquin! Instead have a garrison take off as a detachment and have it ascend above the rest of the fleets. Have it attack vertically," Miku said.

  "Outside usual conventions? That's reasonable," Alquin said.

  "Use them as a distraction, actually. Concentrate on command ships after that. The fleet is heavily dependent on the hierarchy, any blows to it affect performance," Miku said.

  "Operations, implement her suggestion immediately. Tell the commander of the eighteenth garrison to carry out her plan. He's a good man, he'll know what to do," Alquin said. "Now, communications, answer the call."

  An admiral on the fortress, an older man with a stiff look and a clean face, appeared on screen.

  "Turn back," the man said.

  "I don't believe you've introduced yourself," Alquin said.

  "Admiral Fim Delay, commander of the fortress Hine. You're in coalition territory, with a fleet the size of which indicates nothing good. Our forces may be smaller, but you will not be getting past this fortress today," Fim Delay said.

  "Admiral Delay, nice to meet you. I'm Alquin, better known as the emperor of the Ingrid Empire. And I'll be continuing, whether or not you think you can stop me," Alquin said. As he spoke, an officer came up to Fim and whispered something his ear. His eyes opened wide for a moment, and then responded with a hand gesture that shooed the man away.

  "I must insist that you take stock of what will happen, should you refuse," Fim said.

  "Do explain what will happen. You see, I'm
not all that great at understanding what losses you're able to inflict on me. So far, in our little battle, you've lost twenty percent of the ships that came with you, correct? While I've lost less than one. Granted, there is a difference in size to begin with, but you're expecting that your special fortress will last for a while, correct?" Alquin asked.

  "You're an arrogant man, that will be your downfall. If you won't listen, I have nothing further to say," Fim said.

  "Fine, I shall listen. What more did you want to say?" Alquin asked. He smiled as he saw Fim squirm slightly. Fim glanced to his side, and then looked at Alquin again.

  "It's nothing that will matter. I just had that warning, for you," Fim said. He was beginning to look anxious, and had pulled at his collar once.

  "No, really, tell me. You should really speak this while we have the chance. Think about it. You, a measly admiral, are speaking with the most powerful man alive, right now. I'm offering you my ear, something not many people get. And you think your words won't matter, even when I'm willing to listen? Please, explain why you think that makes sense?" Alquin asked.

  "I, I, I'm going to have to go. Cut the connection. Blast," Fim said. The admiral disappeared from the screen, and then Alquin laughed.

  "How foolish. That hierarchy was his downfall. Operations, how long before you expect us to win?" Alquin asked.

  "Their beginning to reorganize, but the blows struck to both the enemy fleet and the Hine in the past couple minutes have been extremely devastating. I'd say another ten minutes. Great job, sir," an operations officer said. It was the same man who long ago had spoken to Alquin out of line. Alquin recognized him and smiled.

  "Of course. Thank you. Good job, all of you. Keep up the good work. Show them that we can fight whether or not there is an admiral, general, or commander above us giving orders. How foolish of him to consolidate absolute power in himself during the heat of battle. I wasn't in the same situation, fool," Alquin said.

  The Hine lost quickly. None of the attack and defense schemes it used had been tested, this being its first battle after being so hastily deployed. Alquin's fleet, on the other hand, had experienced fighting the Zeick. Though slightly different, the strategies that each officer in Alquin's fleet used to take on the Zeick worked doubly well on the inexperienced Hine. Unfortunately, the Hine was completely destroyed, much to Alquin's disappointment. He had wanted to capture the ship and use it for his own purposes, but it was apparent that Fim had no intent of letting his ship be captured.

  Alquin's fleet continued traveling towards the coalition's main planet, and the days of boredom that passed were welcomed by the fleet that had tasted a recent battle and needed rest.

   

  "The Hine disappeared," member six said.

  "Was it destroyed?" member five asked.

  "I'm not sure. The last report we received said there was an empire force in coalition territory it had discovered. After that, the commander asked for a fleet, and then jumped with a fleet in tow," member six said.

  "So there is a chance it's locked in battle," member three said.

  "Unlikely. That report was from a week ago. We can only go by what we last received. And that seems to indicate the empire is in our territory, with an enormous fleet. Large enough to take down the Hine!" member six said.

  The other members let out small gasps.

  "Do we have the location reported by the Hine?" member two asked.

  "I have the one from the initial sighting. The second is unknown, but we do have an estimate. If you'll look on your screens, you'll see the probable path. The initial location, the closest empire relay to it is the one at Blatt. That one loss seems to be biting back even harder than expected. If you consider the direction they seem to be heading, you can see the problem," member six said.

  "It's heading towards us!" member four said.

  "Yes, that's the conclusion I drew as well," member six said.

  "With a force large enough to take out a space fortress? Do you think he's coming as a reaper?" member five asked.

  "That's likely," member one said. "We need to prepare. The empire is coming with full force."

  "If we recall all our forces, we should be prepared for anything they come at us with. After all, this is our territory, the advantage is on our side," member two said. The other members agreed, and then began making additional plans in preparation for Alquin's eventual arrival.

   

  "Sir, another forty-eight hours and we'll arrive at the expected location," an operator said.

  "Good. Send out the notice to the fleet. Everyone should get rested up now, as we clash with the coalition soon. I want scheduled shifts enforced, but everyone should be able to take part in the fight if need be," Alquin said.

  "The notice is out, sir. Thank you, sir," the operator said.

  Alquin took his leave and slept in his room that night. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to sleep again, so he took as much time as he needed. The next day he didn't bother leaving his room, and played card games with some of the men in the lounge that were on the local intranet. He eventually called Miku over to play with the group as well. It was a stress-free, relaxing day. It would serve them all well for the chaos that was to come tomorrow.

   

  "Another garrison is down, sir! The twenty-third has retreated!"

  "We don't need to cover that spot, anyways. Have the remnants reinforce the rest. I don't care if they split up individually. Have any other's that are taken out to reorganize the same way. Hurry!" Alquin said. He analyzed the hologram in front of him, frowning at the various weak spots in his assault.

  "There and there," Miku said while pointing at a couple areas Alquin hadn't looked at. He couldn't see what she meant.

  "What about them?" he asked.

  "They will fall unless you tell the commanders to change formation. It doesn't look like it, but the incoming coalition force is in that formation's bane," Miku said.

  Alquin sent the command to the ships, even though he still didn't see what Miku did. A short while later, he noticed that those particular areas had inflicted severe damage to the coalition forces they were engaged with.

  Alquin had noticed it before, but now he truly believed it. Whenever Miku made a suggestion, it was always the perfect response. He still couldn't tell if she was overtly helping, but he appreciated the help nevertheless.

  "You do realize you're helping me to attack your own people," Alquin said. Miku glared at him.

  "I'm not exactly helping. I'm just noticing things. I haven't told you how to actually fight, have I?" Miku asked. She was slightly indignant, but her tone was the one that Alquin recognized as the one she used when she didn't want to admit that he had said some inconvenient truth about her.

  Miku, for her part, felt a twinge of regret after pointing out the weaknesses to Alquin. She wanted Alquin to fulfill his dreams, but she thought of herself as still loyal to the coalition. She tried reasoning it out, telling herself that she was truly loyal to the people involved, and saving as many of their lives as possible came first. Even if it meant a battle where several would fall at once, she thought that it would mean less would suffer in the long run.

  The battle between the coalition and empire forces lasted for three days without much progress on either side. The coalition planet behind the forces told of the stakes at hand. It was blue and beautiful, but the destruction in its skies told the people below that their fate was in question. It wasn't till the third day ended that something new happened.

  "Sir, there's a new entrant! It's the Zeick! It's appeared at the edge of the battle and is hailing both sides," an operator said.

  "Let him. Put it up. Just don't stop fighting," Alquin said. Soon the familiar image of Yue was up. Also, there was the image of a commander from the coalition that Alquin didn't recognize.

  "This is Yue Fei, commander of the independent space fortress Zeick. I've come asking both sides to stop this fight. To the empire, first. The old emperor is gone; yo
u don't need to follow in his footsteps."

  "That's not what I'm doing," Alquin said.

  "And to the coalition next. Why continue this senseless fight? It makes the people suffer, it has eaten at us for decades, and we still don't agree on the cause. Why are we fighting over a decades-old feud? Who cares which side really began the battle at Tenor, nothing changes that both sides were there and itching for a fight. Who pulled the trigger doesn't matter! Stop fighting, and let's discuss peace. The president himself is interested in diplomacy, and the emperor isn't a terrible person. Misguided, maybe, but not a fool. He'll listen if you speak," Yue said. He looked on with pleading eyes, looking much different than the person that Miku had originally known. She smiled, seeing Yue like this.

  "Rebel Yue, we don't negotiate with terrorists. Goodbye," the coalition commander said. He ended his transmission. Yue sighed.

  "I'm sorry, then. You as well, Mr. Emperor?"

  "Alquin is fine. But you know my answer already."

  "Sir, incoming!" said a voice on Yue's side of the transmission. Yue looked up, his eyes widened, and then the transmission cut out.

  "What just happened?" Alquin asked.

  "Yue? Where's Yue?" Miku asked.

  "Working on it, sir," an operator said. "Here it is. The Zeick was attacked!"

  "What fool did that?" Alquin asked. "Tell the commander that did that he's in line for execution! Well?"

  "Sir, it wasn't us! It was the coalition! A large portion of their forces has started attacking the Zeick! The Zeick is moving! It's attacking the coalition forces as well! Sir, your orders?"

  "Those fools. Have the third through eighth divisions assist the Zeick. It's a powerful ship, if it's on our side now, treat it as two divisions worth of ships that we cannot command, just follow," Alquin said.

  "What if they attack us?" an operator asked.

  "Yue wouldn't do that. And that was Kelin speaking. He's the one behind the battle controls. He won't fire on any of our allies," Miku said. Her voice was strong, but Alquin could see that her face had paled and tears had been wiped from her eyes.

  "You heard her! Let's use this assistance to its fullest," Alquin said. Quietly, her spoke to Miku. "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine. I just want this to be over. I can't believe they attacked Yue and daddy," Miku said.

  "I didn't want to end the war just because I wanted control. I didn't agree with the emperor's ways, and I don't agree with all of the coalition's ways. Do you see that now?" Alquin asked.

  "Just, not now, not now Alquin. There are other ways. But please, don't speak of that now. You'll win, you'll change everything. I hope you make things better. But I just don't know. I can't help but fear what you're capable of doing," Miku said.

  "Then watch over me," Alquin said. He smiled and took Miku's hand in his. He then turned and continued watching the battle progress and giving commands.

   

  "It's over! Get out while you can!" member four said.

  "We still have some hope, we can negotiate!" member two said.

  "You fool, what do we have left to negotiate with? Our entire fleet was decimated, and that freakish emperor still has more than enough forces to conquer us again!" member three said.

  "You two flee then. We'll work something out, ourselves. We can always resort to diplomacy," member five said.

  "Diplomacy? They are already sending down forces to take control of the planet. What can we possibly offer those that capture us?" member three asked.

  "We'll figure that out. At least, get the talks started. That's all we need. Then we can delay, rebuild, and bounce back. We just need to get the politics started," member two said.

  "You're mad," member three said. Then member three and four left the council room, never to return.

  The other members discussed things for a while, but the sound of the door being smashed open interrupted them. A short while later, the council members were securely confined by the empire forces, never to rule again.

  "Sir, all forces are in place. The coalition is under your complete control," the operator whom Alquin had developed a healthy amount of respect for said.

  "Good. Take a break. You've deserved it. Your voice is beginning to fade a bit."

  "You too, sir."

  Miku tugged at Alquin's coat.

  "Should we find out, then?" Alquin asked.

  "I want to go as soon as possible. They don't have communications up, yet," Miku said.

  "I want to thank him, too. As insistent as he was at asking for peace, I'm surprised he helped us," Alquin said.

  "He's just that kind of person. I still don't understand him well. He's changed so much. It's good, but he feels different now. But let's go."

  Alquin and Miku boarded a shuttle and took it to the Zeick, where a small reception awaited them.

  "I thought so. It was you coming for us, after all," Teena said.

  "Teena!" Miku said, and then ran into Teena's arms. The two women hugged, and then Miku looked back at Alquin.

  "You've grown a lot since I last saw you," Teena said.

  "I was just a girl back then. And you were just a young woman. What happened?" Miku asked.

  "You tease! But now isn't the time for it. Let's go see the rest," Teena said.

  "Was it just you to meet us? Why didn't the rest come?" Miku asked.

  "You'll see why. Don't ask that now," Teena said with a heavy tone. Miku immediately felt sick. She didn't ask anything additional.

  "I'm sorry to have to rush you, Mr. Emperor, but I think we should save the formalities for now. Please come with me," Teena said.

  Alquin didn't mind that he was being treated casually, as he hated the formality that the previous emperor had. Alquin had become worried at Teena's words. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't want to guess. He didn't want to upset Miku with his thoughts, so he followed Teena quietly.

  The hallways filled with murmurs about the emperor as Alquin and the rest made their way through the Zeick. Eventually they arrived at the hospital section, which made Miku's heart jump. But she didn't ask; she only followed.

  "Miku," Genbu said. He walked up to his daughter and hugged her tightly. He then let go of her completely, unable to say more as her wide eyes and tears answered his fears.

  "Is that what I think?" Alquin asked, his voice trembling. He, Miku, Genbu, Teena, and Kelin were all gathered around a white bed where a white sheet covered something. There were no machines attached to monitor whatever was under the sheet.

  "You're Alquin, the new emperor? I wish we were meeting on better terms," Kelin said. He held out his hand for Alquin to shake.

  "So do I," Alquin said. He didn't need to ask anymore. "Was it the coalition?"

  "Of course," Kelin said, his eyes immediately showing signs of rage.

  "I don't believe it!" Miku said. She let go of Genbu and walked to the head of the bed. She grabbed the sheet and threw it back, and then fell to the ground, regretting what she had done. Her sobs penetrated the room of people that could only look on silently at the lifeless corpse of the commander that had admired. All in the room felt pangs of hurt and grief, without exception.

   

  An old-fashioned town was visible far below. Even as high as it was, there was grass on the cliff. The lone tree on it only added to the mystique of the setting. The wind blew softly, caressing both the flowers in the tree and the hearts of the people sitting below it.

  The two of them sat side-by-side, watching with carefully shielded eyes as the sun made its way down towards the mountains in the distance. They were dressed casually, echoing the calm they were feeling.

  "It's an amazing sight," Miku said.

  "Yes. I've always loved this view. This is the first time I've seen the real thing in several years," Alquin said.

  "Thank you for sharing this. I can see why you'd love Exoquis so much, with such beauty in the air."

  "It doesn't compare. I loved it, but I only admire it now."

 
"You're never content, are you?"

  "I am. But I've decided not to compare anything to you."

  "I'm not so great. Thank you, though."

  "I have to thank Yue Fei. If it weren't for him, if it weren't for him, I, I don't know."

  "I know. I loved him, but not the same way. But now I love him more, for bringing me to you. I don't regret it, anymore."

  "You used to regret loving me?" Alquin laughed slightly.

  "Don't laugh! I had a lot of complications! You imprisoned me! I thought you'd never free me! I was scared, and then slowly I started seeing you in a different light. Of course I had regrets at first!"

  "I still have you imprisoned."

  "Yes, you do!"

  The couple laughed and cried while considering the past that had led them to their current place. As they did, they enjoyed the real sunset on Exoquis.